Method of operating a volatile material dispenser

Abstract

A method of operating a volatile material dispenser includes the step of operating the volatile material dispenser according to a pre-defined algorithm for a first operational cycle. The method further includes the steps of sensing a change in an emission parameter initiated by a user and storing information related to the change in emission parameter. Still further, the method includes the step of operating the volatile material dispenser for a second operational cycle according to a new algorithm, wherein the new algorithm comprises the pre-defined algorithm with modifications according to the change initiated by the user.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of operating a volatile material dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:
 setting an operational cycle for the dispenser, wherein the operational cycle is between about one day and about one week; 
 providing power to a heater of the volatile material dispenser according to a first algorithm for a first operational cycle that has a length that is the same as a length of the operational cycle, wherein the heater is actuated for the entire first operational cycle and is disposed within the volatile material dispenser and adjacent a portion of a wick extending from a container holding a volatile material therein to volatilize volatile material contained in the wick; 
 detecting a change in a user control of the dispenser during operation of the first algorithm; 
 storing time information related to the specific time of day of the change and an emission parameter associated with the change in the user control; 
 changing the emission parameter; and 
 providing power to the heater according to a second algorithm for a second operational cycle that has a length that is the same as the length of the operational cycle, wherein the heater is actuated for the entire second operational cycle and wherein the second algorithm is the first algorithm modified according to the detected change with the detected change implemented at the specific time of day at which the detected change was made during the first operational cycle. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operational cycle is one day and the detected change is implemented by the second algorithm to run the second algorithm on each subsequent day until a further change is detected. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of detecting a second change in a user control of the dispenser and storing second time information and a second emission parameter associated with the change in the user control. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first-named user control is different than the second-named user control. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , further including the steps of changing the second emission parameter and running a third algorithm that is the first algorithm modified by the first and second changes. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emission parameter is selected from a duty cycle, a time versus temperature characteristic, time versus output, and output rate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second operational cycle follows the first operational cycle and the dispenser is turned off between the first and second operational cycles. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of reading an identification source on a volatile material refill and selecting the first algorithm from a number of pre-defined algorithms based on a characteristic of the refill. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the characteristic is the type of volatile material. 
     
     
       10. A method of operating a volatile material dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:
 setting an operational cycle for the dispenser and time segments for the operational cycle, wherein the operational cycle is between about one day and about one week; 
 providing power to a heater of the volatile material dispenser according to a first algorithm for a first operational cycle that has a length that is the same as a length of the operational cycle, wherein the heater is disposed within the volatile material dispenser and adjacent a portion of a wick extending from a container holding a volatile material therein to volatilize volatile material contained in the wick; 
 detecting a change in a user control of the dispenser during operation of the first algorithm; 
 storing time information related to the specific time of day of the change, a current time segment, and an emission parameter associated with the change in the user control; 
 changing the emission parameter based on the change for a remainder of the current time segment of the operational cycle or until the user changes the emission parameter for a second time; 
 saving a second algorithm, which corresponds to the first algorithm modified according to the change in emission parameter with the change in emission parameter implemented at the specific time of day at which the detected change was made during the first operational cycle; and 
 after the first operational cycle is complete, providing power to the heater according to the second algorithm for a second operational cycle that has a length that is the same as the length of the operational cycle. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the emission parameter is selected from a duty cycle, a time versus temperature characteristic, time versus output, and output rate. 
     
     
       12. A method of operating a volatile material dispenser, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing power to a heater of a volatile material dispenser according to a first algorithm for a first operational cycle, wherein the heater is disposed within the volatile material dispenser and adjacent a portion of a wick extending from a container holding a volatile material therein to volatilize volatile material contained in the wick; 
 detecting a first change in a user control of the volatile material dispenser during operation of the first algorithm; 
 storing information related to the first change in the user control, including a first emission parameter and first time information related to a first specific time of day of the first change; 
 detecting a second change in a user control of the volatile material dispenser during operation of the first algorithm; 
 storing information related to the second change in the user control, including a second emission parameter and second time information related to a second specific time of day of the second change; 
 saving a second algorithm that is the first algorithm modified by changing the first emission parameter at the first specific time of day and changing the second emission parameter at the second specific time of day; 
 providing power to the heater according to a second algorithm for a second operational cycle that has a length that is the same as a length of the first operational cycle, wherein the second algorithm is the first algorithm modified according to the detected change. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second operational cycles are each one day. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second operational cycles are each one week. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second operational cycles are each one month. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of modifying a last-saved algorithm to create a further new algorithm each time a change in emission parameter is detected. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of reading an identification indicium printed on a volatile material refill container that identifies the volatile material and if the volatile material is recognized, selecting a pre-defined algorithm from a number of pre-defined algorithms based on a characteristic of the refill, and if the volatile material is not recognized repeating the step of reading the identification indicium. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the characteristic is the type of volatile material.